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Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund and FMO provide US$29.3 million to refinance the Bugoye hydro-electric power station in Uganda

July 21, 2017

The Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF) and FMO, the Dutch development bank, are jointly lending US$29.3 million of Senior Debt with a 12-year term to refinance the 13MW Bugoye hydro-electric power plant in Western Uganda. The plant, which has 98% availability, has been producing electricity since 2008. It feeds power into Uganda's national grid.

The refinancing agreements were signed on 13th July, with financial close expected around four weeks from then.

EAIF has supported 8, and FMO 10, Ugandan renewable energy projects in hydro- and solar power over the past 10 years. Together these facilities will account for up to 39% of Uganda's installed generating capacity.

Proceeds from the refinancing will be used to repay EAIF the balance of its original loan to the project, fund repair works, and repay construction loans made by the project sponsor (and indirectly, the 100% shareholder in Bugoye), the Africa Renewable Energy Fund (AREF), managed by Berkeley Energy. AREF is to use the refinancing proceeds to invest in other greenfield hydro-electric plants in Uganda. Details of the new project are expected to be announced later in 2017.

EAIF is the Mandated Lead Arranger of the Bugoye refinancing, which was undertaken by EAIF's managers, Investec Asset Management (IAM). EAIF and FMO each contributed 50% of the US$29.3 million loan facility.

Nazmeera Moola, head of EAIF at IAM, says the refinancing is very good example of how a successful power generation facility can be used to mobilise fresh capital to build new capacity.

She continued, "In refinancing Bugoye, EAIF and FMO are freeing up capital that AREF will use to develop greenfield renewable power stations. That will add to Uganda's economic potential by increasing the country's generation capacity, and creating new jobs in construction and plant operation. We have been able to have added developmental impact because Bugoye is an established, efficient and viable business with a suitable risk profile. In backing the project, the leaders of EAIF and FMO demonstrated strategic, long-term, thinking and wholly constructive commercial flexibility."

Nicholas Tatrallyay, Investment Manager at Berkeley Energy says, "The Bugoye refinancing is one of the first refinancings for small hydro projects on the continent and is an important milestone for Uganda's renewable energy sector. The Bugoye refinancing will allow AREF to invest additional capital into Uganda and further expand its portfolio of hydro projects in the country. EAIF and FMO are two of the most experienced and skilled providers of energy infrastructure finance in Africa. Both institutions have shown an ability to bring not only finance but real commitment to Africa's economic progress."

EAIF is a member of the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG). Seven governments (and The World Bank) currently contribute funds to PIDG. In the case of EAIF, support comes from the governments of the UK, The Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland, as well as private sector banks and FMO and its German equivalent, KFW.

Wilfred van den Bos, Senior Investment Officer Energy FMO adds. "FMO is a proud supporter of this project. This refinancing will free up capital that the owner will invest in other greenfield renewable energy projects. This is fully in line with our aim to positively affect peoples' lives by supporting development, creating jobs and providing clean and sustainable energy to Uganda."

The Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund provides a variety of debt products to infrastructure projects promoted mainly by private sector businesses in sub-Saharan Africa. Established and substantially funded by the governments of The Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden and the United Kingdom, the German development finance institution, KFW and its Dutch equivalent, FMO. The Fund helps create the infrastructure framework that is essential to sustained economic stability, business confidence, job creation and poverty reduction. It has to date supported nearly 60 infrastructure projects across eight sectors in 21 sub-Saharan African countries. www.eaif.com

About FMO

FMO is the Dutch development bank. FMO supports sustainable private sector growth in developing and emerging markets by investing in ambitious entrepreneurs. FMO believes a strong private sector leads to economic and social development, empowering people to employ their skills and improve their quality of life. FMO focuses on three sectors that have high development impact: financial institutions, energy, and agribusiness, food & water. With an investment portfolio of EUR 9.3 billion, FMO is one of the largest European bilateral private sector development banks. www.fmo.nl

The Private Infrastructure Development Group

The Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) encourages and mobilises private investment in infrastructure in the frontier markets of sub-Saharan Africa, south and south-east Asia, to help promote economic development and combat poverty. Since 2002, PIDG has supported 133 infrastructure projects to financial close and provided 265 million people with access to new or improved infrastructure. PIDG is funded by donors from seven countries (UK, Switzerland, Australia, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands, Germany) and the World Bank Group. www.pidg.org

About Investec Asset Management

Investec Asset Management is an independently managed subsidiary of Investec Group. Investec Asset Management is a specialist investment manager, providing a premier range of products to institutional and individual investors. Established in 1991, the firm has been built from start-up into an international business managing more than $119bn* on behalf of third party clients. The business has grown largely organically from domestic roots in Southern Africa to a position where we proudly serve a growing international client base from the Americas, the UK and Continental Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Australia and Africa. The firm seeks to create a profitable partnership between clients, shareholders and employees, and to exceed expectations for both client service and performance. www.investecassetmanagement.com